Project M25: #Love4Change
We continue to hear stories from our friends at the U.S.-Mexico border of children still separated from their parents after many months, stuck in transitional facilities or foster homes while their parents struggle against obstacle after obstacle to get them back. Like you, our hearts groan as we consider the lingering emotional effect this separation will have on those young children and their families. So we have connected with a shelter called Casa Marianella in Austin, Texas, that provides housing, food, resettlement help for refugees/asylum seekers who arrive at our border, and reunification support for families. Once again, we hope to come together as a community to deliver on the principles in Matthew 25:
"For I was an hungered and you gave me meat. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in. Naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came unto me."
Our goal this year is to CROWDFUND $30,000 for:
- Four Outdoor Play Spaces ($10,000): We’ll make space for the children to PLAY by purchasing playground equipment and toys for the backyards behind the four buildings at Casa Marianella dedicated to family housing. We will also fund some fun events for families.
- Boosters for Family Reunification ($20,000): We’ll help at least four separated families at Casa Marianella overcome the barriers that stand between them and their children, shortening their path to reunification. Examples may include a security deposit for a first apartment, temporary assistance with rent, specialized legal expertise, or reimbursement for time off to attend legal proceedings.
YOU CAN JOIN US by:
- Donating here (tax deductible)
- Venmo-ing us at @edavisedwards
- Sending a check payable to: Project M25, Inc. and mail it to 94 Golden Run Rd. Bolton MA 01740 (tax deducible: EIN 85-1674-143)
- Following and sharing our Project M25 Facebook page
100% of your donation will go directly to the refugees at Casa Marianella. We will purchase the items while we are there and will share stories and pictures so you can see the fruits of your generosity.
PERSONAL NOTE:
Pastor Ortiz was our friend and partner from EDventure 2019 in Nuevo Laredo. He loved and served refugees with everything he had, ultimately giving his life defending them against a gang earlier this year. Our collective contribution this year will be donated in his honor. You can read more about him here .
About Casa Marianella
In 1986, Casa Marianella started with a few community members who saw a problem as they witnessed more and more homeless refugees living on the streets of Austin. So they pulled some neighbors together and raised money to start CM, donating a house in a residential neighborhood to use as a shelter. Since that time, they have purchased the house across the street, the house next door, and the house behind them. Then starting in 2003, just 1 mile up the road, they slowly purchased four more houses to shelter immigrant and refugee women and children who are escaping domestic abuse or cultural violence. All in all, today, they serve an average of 80 people at any one time, including approximately 20 families and 25 kids - each of whom stay a minimum of 3 months. While at Casa Marianella, they receive legal aid, housing, English classes, assistance with physical and mental health and any other help they need to successfully reunite and resettle their families in the US.